Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a rare win at Liverpool, beating the hosts thanks to Kai Havertz‘s first-half goal. It was the Gunners’ first Premier League win at Anfield in 14 years.
Mikel Arteta was Arsenal captain the last time they won at Liverpool, a 2-0 victory in 2012. Before Sunday, they had lost 16 times in all competitions on Merseyside since then.
Arsenal produced another defensive masterclass to repel wave after wave of Liverpool attacks. They travelled to Anfield after a humbling Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Fleetwood Town on Tuesday, and Arteta said he believed that defeat could spur his side on.
“Extremely proud. It’s been 14 years, that’s a long time,” Arteta said after the game.
“I’m sure we made everybody attached to the club extremely proud today. Not only for the victory but for the way we’ve done it, the spirit we’ve shown.
“Especially considering what happened four days ago when you lose and go out of the cup against a team you are supposed to beat. That’s the magical part of this game, it can take you to really bad places but four days later you have the opportunity to do something really historic and we’ve done it.
“Overall, to win against a team that is producing what they are doing, and also in the emotional state after Fleetwood, that’s what a winning team should do.”
A battle as predicted
Before the match, centre-back Gabriel said Arsenal expected a “big battle” and “big chaos” against Liverpool. He was right. Arsenal were pinned back before the break, despite taking the lead.
The second half was calmer, but Arsenal defended resolutely and did not allow Liverpool a shot on target. The Gunners have kept six clean sheets this season and sit top of the table after nine games.
Historic numbers
Arsenal’s 24 points after nine games is the most by any team at this stage of a season since the Gunners themselves in 2022-23. Only in the 2004-05 and 2007-08 seasons have they collected more at this point of a Premier League campaign.
The win was also Arsenal’s first Premier League clean sheet at Anfield since 2012.
“It means a lot to our football club,” match winner Havertz said after the game.
“It’s been 13 games [in the Premier League without a win here], its a crazy stat and it’s what the fans deserve. We are happy we gave them that.”
Rice and the Anfield factor
Declan Rice, who assisted Havertz’s goal, was one of the standout performers. He has five league assists already this season.
“That is the Anfield way, that is what this Liverpool team can do, this is what this stadium does to you,” Rice said. “It just creates waves and waves of attack.
“We’ve not won here in 14 years. It was relentless attacks but in the end that way we stuck together, that togetherness we have is undefeated. It’s nothing like I’ve ever seen before.”
Title defence on track
Arsenal are two points better off after nine games than they were at the same stage last season, when they won the title. The attack, however, has yet to click. The Gunners have scored just 14 league goals in nine matches.
Arteta has limited options up front. Bukayo Saka is injured, 16-year-old Max Dowman is suspended after his red card at Fleetwood, Christos Tzolis has just returned from a hamstring injury, and Viktor Gyokeres and Havertz are both struggling for form.
The defence, though, remains elite. The back four conceded only 27 goals last season and could once again be the difference.
“I’m extremely proud; this is something you want to accomplish,” Arteta said when asked what the win meant to him.
“That’s the challenge and mission you want to accomplish. I love it when it’s something we have not done for many years.
“It was the same with Chelsea away and Manchester United away. To be able to beat all those, that’s the purpose and motivation and why we do what we do.”
Manchester City are second in the table, but their position depends on the outcome of their appeal against charges of breaching Premier League financial rules. With several of the league’s big-name sides in transition, Arsenal could build a healthy lead at the top if they keep this form up.